MCC’s Prepare to Attend College Celebrates Student Achievement

On Monday, April 3, Middlesex Community College’s Prepare to Attend College (PAC) graduation ceremony celebrated students’ success with an awards ceremony. The MCC community came together to watch students in the program receive a certificate and read a script they had written to practice the skills they had learned in their classes.

“PAC supports and guides students from different countries by giving them an opportunity to learn to speak and write English,” said Audrey Nahabedian, MCC’s Dean of Workforce Development. “Students who enroll in these free courses benefit from knowledge and skills that help them attend college in the U.S. or gather high-quality opportunities for their careers and futures. It is also an opportunity for students to experience learning in a college setting and many graduates decide to continue their education by enrolling in an associate degree.”

In MCC’s English Learner Institute (ELI), non-native English speakers enroll in courses that assist them in building their English skills. Through the institute, students can join the PAC program, offered three times a year. Free and flexible, the PAC Program helps students transition their English skills into the workforce and college.

Three student speakers praised the program and the work the class instructor Charles Zhang and Nahabedian have done. Each speaker demonstrated their English skills and commented on how fun the experience was, while Zhang handed out the certificates.

“MCC’s PAC program assists students from all continents, either seeking a new life or fleeing a devastating conflict, to jumpstart their English and academic capabilities in a democratic intellectual environment,” Zhang said. “We implement an all-round approach, foster effective study skills, help students monitor their own education, respect their own flow of learning, raise their cultural and historical awareness of the United States, as well as encourage their further career and academic pursuits.”

Vivian Huang, from China, graduated from MCC’s PAC One course. Her experience in the course gave her encouragement and hope. “PAC One is simple and practical which makes it special. Charles also expands many contents in the book,” Huang said. “I’m a traveling soul, but a wall is standing between the world and me, and that is English. Luckily MCC opens the door in this wall for us. I can now see the light on the other side.”

Luis Trinidad, from the Dominican Republic, was grateful for giving the program a chance. The experience helped him engage in more social activities and find opportunities to create relationships. “A few months ago I was asked to be a manager in my workplace and that was one of the main reasons why I decided to enroll in PAC Two this spring,” Trinidad said. “Thanks to my improved English, I can now get involved in artistic activities, concerts and theater plays.”

Daniella Goncalves, from Brazil, graduated from MCC’s PAC Two course. In her speech, she was appreciative of the help she received. “I want to thank my awesome teacher Charles, and all my beloved classmates for making it a wonderful learning journey,” Goncalves said. “I highly recommend this program to everyone who wants to improve their English and also learn lessons that will make your life better.”